The release of pictures of naked Iraqi prisoners being tortured by American soldiers has shocked the world.

Despite President George W Bush's assertion that the culprits would be punished, the reports of abuse and custody deaths have fuelled anger and unease in the Arab world. Reports that Bush knew about the abuse in January have also angered US Congressmen. Some say Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld may be forced to resign.

But many Arabs agree with Abd al-Barri Atwan, editor-in-chief of the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi, who says 'Human rights violations have been systematic in Iraq, which I am sure the US administration will not be able to hide forever.'

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The war in Iraq: Complete coverage

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